Life At Its Best: Trust in the Lord

By Jim Graff
Aug. 31, 2012 at 3:31 a.m.

Jim Graff

I was a 17-year-old high school student when I made the decision to give my life to God. I was the first one in my family to do so, and when my parents found out, they weren't too thrilled. They were regular churchgoers and lived moral lives, but they didn't comprehend what it meant to have a real relationship with God.

They didn't understand it, so they resisted it. Still, every Sunday night, against their wishes, I'd walk to a Baptist church two miles down the street. When my mom figured out where I was going, she strongly let me know that if I didn't quit going, I'd have to move out of the house. So, I packed up my stuff and left.

That time in my life wasn't easy. I loved my parents, and, like every kid, I wanted to make them happy. I didn't do these things out of a rebellious or disobedient spirit; I just knew I had to be faithful to walk out the decision I made for Christ. I had to trust that he'd take care of me and give me the strength I needed.

We all must make tough decisions at some point, and our consequences are a direct result of those choices. Making the right ones might be hard, but it's what brings blessing into our lives. That's why God gives us a strategy to help us in the process.

The first step in this strategy is recognizing that we're not alone. When we must make difficult decisions or go through hard times, the enemy tries to convince us that we're the only ones who do. But that couldn't be further from the truth. Everyone struggles at some point, and everyone needs God's wisdom to make the best decision.

1 Corinthians 10:13 says, "The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God's faithful ... when you're tempted, he'll show you a way out so that you can endure."

After we acknowledge that we're not the only one in the midst of a fight, we must also recognize that we're not alone in our fight. God is willing to walk us through it every step of the way. He will supply us with all that we need.

Of course, sometimes we might not understand how the decision he asks us to make is going to help, but still, we must keep our trust him, believing in Philippians 4:19, which says, "And my God will supply all your needs according to his glorious riches."

What circumstances are you facing today? Just know you're not alone. God's there to walk with you, every step of the way. He'll supply all that you need to get exactly where he wants you to be. Just trust in him.

We don't have to be intimidated by our circumstances. Instead, we can make good choices, causing us to walk in victory every day.

Jim Graff is the Senior Pastor of Faith Family Church in Victoria. faithfamilyvictoria.com.